Writing Guide: When to use Introduction, Foreword, Preface, Prologue, and Prelude

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One question I receive quite a bit from writers that I work with or mentor, is if they should use a preface or introduction. Or if they should use a prelude or prologue. For those writers that are very established, these are hardly things we think about, since we either use them often enough to take them for granted or we've become used to their placement. However, for others, they use them incorrectly without even realising it.

So I've decided to shed some light on the matter from what I've learnt and experienced in case there are others out there wanting to know their uses. Here we go.

An INTRODUCTION is something used before the main body of text. Since I primarily deal with fiction, the introduction would be something utilised before the main story. Now, I know Preface and Prologue are used interchangeably with Introduction in some instances, but that is because Foreword, Preface, Prologue and Prelude are all forms of Introductions that each serve their own purpose.

The only time I would be comfortable using the term Introduction in a book is when I am using it in context to the upcoming text. Science and other non-fiction books could use this well, since a few pages leading up to a discussion on a topic matter would be a great Introduction. I would never use the actual term 'Introduction' in a fiction novel, however, I would not discourage anyone from doing so if they wish. I would just frown upon it.

A FOREWORD is an introduction by someone other than the person / persons involved with the book. It may be another author wishing to clarify something in the book or why they are issuing another edition of the book, but it will never be the author of the actual work. It may be by someone who has endorsed your book or even a celebrity wishing to have a word before your book begins.

A PREFACE is an introduction by the author who wrote the books. Foreword is third party, Preface is the person involved with the book. There can be various Prefaces in one book, like an Editor's Preface and an Author's Preface, where they talk about the book and what brought it about, and may even include acknowledgments.

A PROLOGUE is usually what every writer that has asked me about introduction differences wants to write. The Prologue is an introduction to a story that leads to the main body of the story. It is when you introduce a scene, character or situations before the main action of the novel begins. It forms part of the story and a quick lead up.

And if a Writer of books asks me about Preludes, then they are writing for the wrong entertainment industry. Sweet and short, a PRELUDE is to music what a Prologue is to books. It is the beginning piece of music to the main body of a musical song.

And that's about it. I'm not delving into complicated analogies of each, or a massive thesis on these differences. If you stick to those short principles, you can't go wrong. Sure, many readers might not pick up on these differences if you use them incorrectly, but I assure you that the most astute reader, reviewer or critic definitely will. And you don't want to find yourself embarrassed when they let the world know.

What are your thoughts on these differences? Have you ever found yourself accidentally using the wrong one? Are there any other writing tips you would like? Let me know in the comments.

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Kind regards

Shaun M Jooste

Joint-Owner: AIR Entertainment (https://airentertainment.biz)
Director: Celenic Earth Publications (https://celenicearthpublications.wordpress.com)
Author, Screenwriter, Gamewriter, Journalist (https://celenicearth.wordpress.com)